AKG P120 review

Today, we’ll be reviewing the AKG P120 large-diaphragm condenser microphone.

Despite being best known for their high-grade recording technologies and innovations, AKG has a number of budget-friendly products.

The P120 may be more affordable than most other products AKG has to offer, but does its performance uphold the company’s reputation?

Our verdict on the AKG P120 4.0

For the price, there really isn’t anything bad to say about the AKG P120. It’s a versatile microphone that can fit for a number of different applications and styles.

Sure, there are better microphones out there, but if you’re on a budget, this one will do just fine.

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Polar pattern and frequency response 4.0

The P120 has a cardioid polar pattern and a frequency response of 20 Hz – 20 kHz. Its performance is somewhat reminiscent of the AT2020, in that it’s rather warm and ever so lightly compressed.

This microphone can suit a range of different vocal styles and types, and it can feasibly be used on a number of different instruments as well.

It has a max SPL of 130 dB, with an attenuation pad that brings that up to 150 dB. The P120 also features a bass roll-off switch, cutting off everything below 300 Hz.

Studio vocals 4.5

This is a great choice for a number of different vocal types and styles. While the mic isn’t exactly neutral, but not so much that it becomes gimmicky.

Its high SPL also lends itself rather nicely to more aggressive types of music, such as metal or scream.

Live vocals 2.0

While it could feasibly work for live vocals, you’re probably better off just using a tried and true Shure SM58.

Drums 4.0

You could feasibly use the P120 to close mic your drums, but we think it works much better as an overhead.

Guitar amps 4.0

The AKG P120 is rather friendly towards guitar amps, although if the tone you’re trying to capture is fairly muddy, you might want a brighter microphone.

Bass amps 3.4

This can be a great option for capturing more midrange character from your bass cabinet.

Best to use in conjunction with another microphone that’s more suited for capturing the lower frequencies.

Acoustic guitar 3.0

The P120 can be used well on acoustic guitars, although it won’t give you much sparkle if that’s what you’re going for.

Build quality 5.0

The microphone is solid and chunky. It’s fairly durable as well, with an all-metal body and all-metal grille. This thing can definitely withstand a few drops to the floor.

Compared to other microphones

Let’s take a look at a few other microphones in comparison to the AKG P120.

AKG P120 vs. AKG P220

This isn’t quite a fair test, considering that the AKG P220 has a true condenser capsule, whereas the P120 has a small-diameter electret. If you can, the P220 is the superior option.

Check out our AKG P220 review

AKG P120 vs. Audio-Technica AT2020

The AT2020 is a bit cleaner, while the P120 has more bottom end. They’re both inexpensive microphones, and you can’t really go wrong choosing one over the other.

Check out our Audio-Technica AT2020 review

AKG P120 vs. MXL 990

In our opinion, the MXL 990 is far more versatile, and sounds prettier than the P120 across the board. Not much left to say otherwise.

Check out our MXL 990 review

Who is the AKG P120 best suited for?

The AKG P120 is best suited for any bedroom producers in need of a solid vocal microphone.

While the microphone may come in handy for more serious recording artists, our bet is that they’ll have invested a little more into something higher end.